Christmas Wrap-Up

The stockings are empty, the presents are unwrapped, and I'm already back at my apartment (three nights home are long enough). Even though the Catholic Christmas season runs until January, I'm already a little gloomy thinking about throwing away our tree (and sweeping up all those needles).

Here are some festive pictures to keep you in the holiday spirit, even if, like me, you're stuck in seventy-degree weather.

At my festive apartment 

Stockings by the fireplace at home

A very Essie Christmas morning

The "Selfie Stick" was a big hit with the family

I hope you all had a very happy holiday season! 

P.S. How adorable is my Paw?

P.P.S. Most of these pictures are from my new Instagram! Follow along here :)

Christmas List

Christmas is one of my absolute favorite holidays! When I was a little girl, I used to make these elaborate and extremely long Christmas lists with a ridiculous amount of toys, games, and even animals on them (In my defense, didn't everyone ask for a pony once or twice?)

Here's an image to help you imagination:

Eloise at Christmastine has forever been one of my favorite holiday movies!

Now that I'm older, I know that Christmas is about so much more than presents. It's all about family, Jesus, and spreading holiday cheer here in my neck of the woods. 

With that being said, we still exchange gifts and every year my grandma, aunts, and uncles discreetly call my mom asking what it is that I'm in to since they don't know what to buy. I usually put together a list for my mom incase she does't know what to tell them. 

Here's what made the cut this year! 

1. Kate Spade Gramercy Grand Watch

This one is actually already under the tree. I bought it with my mom at Macy's when she had a coupon so that she could save a bit of money and I could have a link taken out. I can't wait to wear it on Christmas day!

2. The Audrey Hepburn Collection DVD

Audrey Hepburn movies are my favorite! When I had a Netflix subscription, they were all that I watched. Now I get them from the library, but this DVD includes three of my favorites: Breakfast at Tiffany's, Roman Holiday, and Sabrina.

3. EOS lip balm

I love my EOS eggs, and I really want to try this mint flavored one! It's really the perfect stocking stuffer. 

4. Jack Rogers Sandals

I've been looking for a good pair of all-white shoes to wear for sorority ritual events, and I think these Jacks would be perfect! I think Jacks are one of the best summer shoes around! I have a pair in platinum and I love them! (They're a little dangerous before they're broken in, though)

5. Pink laptop case

There's no link for this one because I don't know where the best place to buy this is. I want a pink hard shell case for my 13" Macbook air, but buying one for $10 from Amazon seems sketchy and buying one for $50 from the Apple store seems so expensive. I'll just wait and see. 

6. Macarons

I'm not asking Santa to bring me macarons, but I included these on the list because I think they make the best gifts! I plan on whipping up a batch and giving some to my big and grand-big sisters in my sorority (Fingers crossed they aren't reading. Katie and Raleigh, if you are, just act surprised! I promise they'll be tasty!).

p.s. the picture for these Lauduree macarons is from this blog. 

Christmas Card!

I've wanted a sibling for as long as I can remember. Sometimes I still wish that my parents would have a baby. Around the holidays, I especially envy the girls with big families and little kids around to get excited about Santa. 

I also get a little jealous about the fun Christmas card shoots that some families have *cough cough-College Prepster*

When I was a baby, my parents sent out cards with just me on them, and while it's cute when you're little, it would be pretty awkward to send a picture of just me at age 19. For the past few years, we've been sending a family photo card, but we didn't get around to taking one this year!  

I was pondering this situation yesterday and came up with the perfect solution to my dilemma! 

Yes, that is the same hair bow :)

I designed it myself with Adobe Photoshop Elements because I couldn't find a template on any photo card websites that worked with my vision. 

It still has the little baby cute factor along with the fun of a throwback! 

I couldn't be more excited with the final product! 

They're being addressed and sent off tomorrow! (Yes, I know it's sort of last minute. Welcome to my life.)

What do y'all think? Does anyone else send out fun holiday cards? Any other exciting holiday traditions?